RJ Hamer Arboretum, Olinda

Arboretum - a place for trees.

150 species of trees, to be exact.

If you ever wanted to take a quiet, peaceful, at one with nature, contemplative walk in the woods - this place is for you.

The track varies from flat, leaf strewn dirt paths...

...to narrow dirt tracks...

...to even more narrow tracks...

...before opening up to wide bush roads.

The walking trails take you through plantations of Oak, Giant Sequoia, Himalayan Cedar, Cypress and Monarch Birch as well as Willow, Liquidambar, Maple - just to name a few. You'll be transported to far away lands as you walk amongst some of these exotic species.

Gum Trees, Tree Ferns,native birds and the occasional echidna bring you back home. Not to mention the incredible sweeping views to the Yarra Valley and Warburton area.

Also wildflowers. Millions of wildflowers. 

Meadows filled with them. 

That make you want to run and twirl and dance and sing. 

Or was that just me?

We worked up such an appetite with all that walking and twirling through meadows, we headed for The Cuckoo for a smorgasbord of Bavarian delights, where we ate one of everything, to the accompaniment of a piano accordion and an Oompah band (Wed-Fri $39). There was also some yodelling. Brilliant.

A day well spent.

What: RJ Hamer Arboretum
Where: Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda
When: Daily
Why: walk, nature
How Much: FREE